Often, they have a strong sense of place. Since Scandinavia has a unique geographical and climatic environment, it is often well - depicted in these novels. For example, the long winters and vast forests play important roles in the settings.
'The Red Room' by August Strindberg is also a Scandinavian historical novel. It provides insights into the social and cultural aspects of Sweden during a certain period, with a complex exploration of characters and their relationships within the historical context.
One characteristic is the strong connection to the natural environment. Since Scandinavia has a unique and often harsh landscape, it plays a big role in the stories.
One great Scandinavian historical fiction is 'Kristin Lavransdatter' by Sigrid Undset. It's set in medieval Norway and follows the life of Kristin, a strong - willed woman. The story details her loves, losses, and her journey through different stages of life in a very vivid and detailed way.
For a more recent take, 'The Half - Brother' by Lars Saabye Christensen is really good. It's set in post - war Norway. It shows how the country was rebuilding itself and how the people were dealing with the aftermath of the war. It also delves into family relationships and how they were affected by the historical context.
One of the best 2016 Scandinavian noir novels is 'The Ice Princess' by Camilla Läckberg. It has a great plot with a detective trying to solve a murder mystery in a small Swedish town. The characters are well - developed and the atmosphere is dark and moody, which is typical of Scandinavian noir.
Classic Scandinavian novels usually have a focus on the individual's struggle. Whether it's against society, like in 'The Red Room' by August Strindberg where the main character battles the pretentious society, or against one's own self, as in 'The Seducer's Diary' by Søren Kierkegaard. They also have a distinct narrative style. Some are quite introspective, with a lot of internal monologue. In addition, they often explore themes of social class. In 'A Doll's House', the differences between the upper - class Helmer family and the working - class characters are highlighted, and this exploration of class differences is a common feature in classic Scandinavian novels.
They often feature dark and moody atmospheres. The settings are usually in the Scandinavian countries, which gives a sense of coldness and isolation. The characters are complex, with detectives often having their own personal demons. For example, in Stieg Larsson's 'Millennium' series, the main character Lisbeth Salander is a complex and troubled figure.
Social commentary is a big part of them. These novels often touch on issues like class differences, corruption in society, and the impact of modernization on traditional communities. They use the detective story as a vehicle to explore these broader social themes, which makes them more than just simple mystery stories.